SOLAS Skills to Advance, Ireland's national upskilling and reskilling initiative, has been named as Gold Sponsor of The Education Awards 2026. The organisation sponsors the Best Workforce Upskilling Initiative category, underscoring the strategic alignment between Further Education and Training priorities and the sector's broader mission to deliver lifelong learning outcomes.

The sponsorship reflects Skills to Advance's position as a cornerstone of Ireland's response to workforce transformation challenges. Delivered through Education and Training Boards nationwide, the initiative provides employees and employers with highly subsidised, accredited training in flexible, blended formats combining tutor support with online resources. This model addresses a critical tension: enabling workers to acquire new competencies without career interruption while meeting employer demands for adaptable, skilled talent.

Skills to Advance targets employees in roles vulnerable to technological disruption, sectoral shifts, or requiring career progression pathways. By partnering with ETBs, the programme ensures local delivery with national consistency, reaching communities where traditional higher education access remains limited. The initiative exemplifies SOLAS's mission to power individual potential and workforce transformation through accessible Further Education and Training provision.

The Gold Sponsorship positions Skills to Advance alongside Ireland's leading education institutions, professional bodies, and innovation-focused organisations at an event recognising excellence across 30 categories. From digital transformation and sustainability to workforce upskilling and community engagement, the Education Awards showcase initiatives driving measurable impact in teaching, research, and sector collaboration.

The partnership reinforces the connection between FET provision and higher education achievement, with Education and Training Boards featuring prominently among 2026 finalists across multiple categories including Best Further Education Provider, Apprenticeship Programme Award, and Best Workforce Upskilling Initiative.

Winners will be announced at the Education Awards gala on 16 April 2026 at the Johnstown Estate, Enfield, Co. Meath.

Visit SOLAS to explore Skills to Advance opportunities. For Education Awards 2026 updates, visit the official website and subscribe to the newsletter.